What Does ADHD Mean to You?
ADDitude readers describe the undeniable signs, symptoms, and strengths of ADHD that may be invisible to others.
Disorder. Condition. Impairment. These are the words commonly used to describe ADHD. Their accuracy is debatable. What’s for certain: they’re insufficient on their own.
What does ADHD mean to you? Adventure. Gift. Advantage. Creative engine. Superpower and kryptonite, all rolled into one. According to ADDitude readers, this is the essence of ADHD.
This October, we move beyond awareness and acceptance. As we step into ADHD empowerment, ADDitude will amplify the myriad voices comprising our community and share their powerful, telling stories.
What is ADHD? It’s whatever you say it is.
ADHD Is . . .
“. . . a kaleidoscope. I see, hear and think in stereo. The beauty of ADHD is how my mind endlessly sees and hears things others around me can’t.” — Jon, United Kingdom
. . .a different gameplay mode, enabled on some brains.” — Mia, New York
“. . . eye-opening.” — Zak, Florida
“. . . like a powerful wild horse — beautiful and strong but untamed. Imagine what it’s like to ride on its back and be taken where it wants to go. You just need to train your horse, and to develop your strength and agility and learn to hold on.” — Giedre, United Kingdom
“. . . complicated.” — Ava, Canada
[Read: Holderness Family Values – 9 ADHD Truths (with a Side of Laughter)]
“. . . an adventure. ADHD is curious. ADHD is playful. ADHD is a roller coaster.” — Emma, Scotland
“. . . exhilarating. There is always something new to learn.” — Erin, Missouri
“. . .wonderfully maddening. Wonderful because of the ability to focus intently on things that interest you and maddening because you’ll need to develop ways to complete tasks that don’t interest you. You have awareness, perspectives and abilities that are likely different from your peers and those skills make you exceptional.” —Becky, Indiana
[Read: 17 Things to Love About Your ADHD!]
ADHD Is . . .
“. . . hopeful. People with ADHD can help create a future that has justice, empathy, curiosity, and creativity as the guiding principles.” — Sara, Canada
“. . . liberating.” — Noreen, Oregon
“. . .an uphill and downhill battle.” —An ADDitude Reader
“. . .a horse without blinders. Someone with ADHD can see so many things at once.” —John, Illinois
“. . .both a superpower and kryptonite.” — Tyra, Arizona
“. . . a channel to dream big dreams.” — Tara, Canada
“. . . is the key that unlocks universes. Wanting to know more about topics I’m interested in is a gift.” — Nicole, Ohio
“. . . a hurdle — one that makes you more resilient.” — An ADDitude Reader
ADHD Is . . .
“. . .being upside down in a neuro-normative world which is ‘right way up.’” — Rachel, United Kingdom
“. . . a new day every day, sometimes every hour.” — Jana, Tennessee
“. . . differently powerful.” — Betsy, New York
“. . . hyper-focusing.” — An ADDitude Reader
“. . . magical.” — Sam, United Kingdom
“. . . misunderstood.” — Jamie, Tennessee
“. . . multi-faceted and pervasive, affecting all aspects of one’s life.” — Kathryn, Michigan
“. . . something that gives you the energy to accomplish great things. It may be hard to sit in a class, but you are one of the greatest builders of society.” — An ADDitude Reader
ADHD Is . . .
“. . .a mixed bag. At times it really does feel like a superpower, like when I’m writing for fun; the metaphors and creativity flow like water. At other times, it really does feel like a curse, like when I lose what feels like the 50th pair of prescription sunglasses. My biggest asset is simultaneously my biggest struggle.” — David, Oregon
“. . . determination, focus, tenacity, and courage.” — Heather, Alabama
“. . . balance.” — Maggie, Michigan
“. . . a beautiful brain in a challenging environment.” — Dee, Canada
“. . . overwhelming — and empowering.” — Ariel, Wisconsin
“. . . something that can both control you, and be controlled.” — Andrew, New York
“. . . not good and not bad. It just is.” — An ADDitude Reader
What Does ADHD Mean?: Next Steps
- Read: “ADHD Is Hard, But…” Crowdsourced Advice for the Newly Diagnosed
- Watch: “ADHD is Awesome: The Holderness Family Guide to Thriving with ADHD”
- Read: “The ADHD Characteristics I’m Most Thankful for Are…”
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